Dhaka – Bangladeshi Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha has tendered his resignation as his tenure of leave from the office expires, officials said on Saturday.

Sinha, who left Dhaka for Australia last month to spend his apparent unusual vacation and facing allegations of graft and money laundering, submitted his resignation to President Abdul Hamid reportedly through Bangladesh mission in Singapore.

Joynal Abedin, Press Secretary to the President, confirmed the news to the media adding that the letter was sent to the Presidential palace Bangabhaban.

Justice Sinha secured a month leave from October 3.

Law Minister Anisul Huq said he was not informed about the resignation.

Until the president accepts the resignation, Justice Sinha will remain the chief justice, said Attorney General Mahbube Alam.

He adde3d that a new Chief Justice will be appointed once the resignation is accepted.

Media reports say Sinha had been visiting Singapore after he was in Australia. He left Singapore for Canada on Friday.

Justice Md Abdul Wahhab Miah, the most senior judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, has been acting as Chief Justice after Sinha went on leave.

Sinha was criticised by the senior leaders of the ruling Awami League party after he made controversial remarks in verdict over a constitutional provision that allowed parliament to remove a judge for misconduct and inability.

The scrapping of the 16th constitutional amendment apparently restored the provision of Supreme Judicial Council for removal of the judges of the Supreme Court.

Sinha, prior to his who trip to Australia on October 13, told local media that he was not sick as the government earlier said that he was on leave on health ground.

The Supreme Court on October 14 in a statement said Sinha was facing 11 charges, including graft and money laundering.